University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

The Seraglio.
KIOSEM
sola.
At length I've gain'd the Summit of my Views:
The Royal Diadem on Amurath's Head
O'erpays my glorious Toil, and loud proclaims,
That nought transcends the Genius of a Woman:
E'en Man, who stiles himself Creation's Lord,
And boasts superior Knowledge and Address,
Is but a Dupe—'Tis Kiosem governs all—
My Son, my Amurath reigns!—But, ha! how reigns—
[Pausing.
Does not the Diadem waver on his Head
While Osman lives?—It does, it does! That Name
Strikes Terror thro' the Soul of Kiosem—
Why?—Is not the Sound of Am'rath as great
As that of Osman—Unsex thee, Kiosem;
Secure the Prize of Royalty—I have't:
[Musing.
—He can't but serve me for his late Advancement;
Nay, 'tis his own Security; our Interests
Are intertwin'd: But see, he's here.

[Enter Daut Vizier and Bassa of Bosnia.
DAUT.
Thus, let
Me pay m'Acknowledgments to your Highness.

[Kneeling.
KIOSEM.
Not thus, Vizier; it shall not be, arise;
Your Excellency's Merit's too conspicuous,
To strongly mark'd to pass unnoticed.

DAUT.
Your Highness honours me with your Opinion.

KIOSEM.
Not mine alone, Vizier; the whole Divan
Yields Approbation to our Choice, as conscious
That ablest Men demand the highest Stations:
Then who so fit as Daut to recompose
The Tremors of the State, to aid my Amurath
I'th'glorious Work of Peace, and harmonize
The jarring Discord of the furious Porte?
I know, my Daut, you have a piercing Genius;
Like Lightning penetrate the close Recesses
Of human Nature, and explore the Soul;
This is the Statesman's Part: Believe me, Vizier,
The Charge of Empire is no trifling Weight.

DAUT.
The Steersman must be ever on his Guard,
Watch ev'ry Gale, from the rough Hurricane
Down to the gentle Breathe; take all Advantages
T'avoid the Shelves and Rocks, that in his Way,
Unseen by vulgar Eyes, portend Destruction.

KIOSEM.
Destruction! nam'st thou? You've alarm'd my Fears!
This pet'lant Boy—this Osman! has convuls'd
The State.

DAUT.
He can no more; in Bonds secure,
What have we thence to dread?

KIOSEM.
Thou know'st not Osman,
If fondly confident you dismiss your Fears.

DAUT.
There may arise Suspicion thence, 'tis possible.

KIOSEM.
There may, there may; nay, Men are most discerning.

DAUT.
Your Highness's Hints administer Suspicion—

KIOSEM.
O, nothing, nothing; 'tis mere Fancy all:
Our Fears oft savour of Impertinence.

DAUT.
Admit, my Princess, Women's often are
Mere Phantoms; yet your Highness's Penetration
Must not be rated by the common Standard:
Let me intreat you, Madam, to explain.

KIOSEM.
I think, thou lov'st me, Vizier.

DAUT.
Dearer far
Than Life or Honour—I am all Impatience.

KIOSEM.
I have been fanc'ing should the Soldiery
Take but a slight Disgust at Amurath,
(As who so upright but may tread awry)
I say, I'm thinking—Osman may—but—

BASSA of Bosnia.
Pardon the Interruption of your Slave,
Who dares presume to read your Highness's Doubts:
The Soldiery pay Deference to Osman,
And hold his Qualities in Estimation;
Tho' they're disgusted with his fav'rite Scheme;
And to ingratiate themselves again,
May reinthrone—I'd not anticipate;
Perhaps they're idle Fears.

KIOSEM.
Nay, for myself
I dread not, but for Am'rath's Friends;
They'll be mark'd out undoubtedly for Ruin.

DAUT.
I own 'tis just; I'll keep strict Guard on Osman;
None shall approach: Indeed, there's Cause for Fear.

KIOSEM.
For Fear! Sure I've mista'en thee, Vizier;
Thou art not the Man thy Princess thought thee:
Is this the resolute, experienc'd Daut?
Now with a Woman's Whine to whimper out,
“Indeed there's Cause for Fear.”—Away, away;
Thou lov'st me not.

DAUT.
Highly you wrong me, Madam;
Command my Life on that Experiment:
Propose, what would your Highness?

KIOSEM.
Osman lives—

DAUT.
My gracious Queen! in Pity to your Slave,
[Pauses.
Urge me not on the Precipice of Fate.

KIOSEM.
As sure as Osman lives, from that same Precipice
So certain Ruin waits thee.

DAUT.
But, my Princess!
For me to offer at a Life like Osman's—

KIOSEM.
You—You a Statesman? and want Resolution
To steal a Life pernicious to the Crown!
Can th'Hand of Power, back'd by Authority,
Be wanting in the Means? a Thousand offer,
Amurath will hug thee for't; too well he knows
His Footing insecure, while Osman lives;
Then think'st thou, he'd not venerate the Hand,
That should release him from his potent Rival?

DAUT.
Madam, you are obey'd, conclude it done.

[Exeunt Kiosem and Daut.
BASSA of Bosnia
solus.
To what curs'd Villainy is Greatness subject?
The Vizier will not rest, till 'tis compleated;
Vizier! why so? myself had prior Claim,
What was his Merit, more than mine? By Mahomet!
Not half so much—O! I remember well,
Upon the Banks of Tyre, Lub'mirski's Forces
Had well nigh put to rout our num'rous Host,
Had not great Osman hap'ly interven'd.
Did not this Daut then meanly sculk behind,
Nor once come up to back the gallant Osman?
The gallant! said I? yes, the gallant Osman—
[Pausing.
—That thou we'rt brave, thy Enemies proclaim;
Has't born Indignities unparallell'd,
Each gen'rous Mussulman with Shame confesses.
—Then this flagitious Plot against thy Life,
Be it my glorious Part to counteract:
I'll to the Mufti, traverse his Designs.